Mississauga faces Development Quandaries
By Lucas on Mar 28, 2013
The strong demand for high-rise living is reaching beyond downtown Toronto. Mississauga has experienced a significant spike, with an estimated 60 to 70 percent of new home developments being condos.
Developers have moved to intensify pockets of Mississauga, specifically the Square One area, and by doing this, they are establishing a proper downtown – something Mississauga has lacked for years.
We’re huge fans of intensification, but it needs to be planned correctly. This is something with which Mississauga has struggled, and it’s a hot topic at City Hall. Mayor Hazel McCallion and local councillors are currently debating how exactly the growth of their downtown should happen and, more specifically, who should pay for it.
“The downtown core will be the cultural mecca of the city; it will be the financial mecca of the city. It will be what drives this city for the next century going forward,” Ward 7 Councillor Nando Iannicca said following a lengthy debate. “Let’s just make sure that all the people that benefit pay their fair share.”
The current debate among councillors is whether or not land taxes should be raised for all Mississauga residents, or if a new tax or levy should be charged for those moving into the city.
“I’m not going to ask the taxpayers to pay for the downtown development,” said Ward 6 Councillor Ron Starr.
Recently, Peel Region voted to double development fees to developers in order to fund infrastructure deficits. To add a tax/fee to only those moving into the city doesn’t seem fair or affordable for the potential purchaser.
What’s the solution? Shouldn’t everyone pay for the benefits of a vibrant downtown?
